Geographic database including data indicating wireless coverage and method and system for use thereof

ABSTRACT

Wireless coverage data are associated with a geographic database that contains data that represent a road network in a geographic region. The wireless coverage data indicate areas within the geographic region in which navigation-related services or data from a navigation services provider are available wirelessly, or conversely, areas within the geographic region in which navigation-related services or data from a navigation services provider are not available wirelessly. An end user obtains the wireless coverage data. The wireless coverage data are used to indicate to the end user areas in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly or areas in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are not available wirelessly. The wireless coverage data may also be used to warn the end user when he/she is leaving an area in which navigation-related services or data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly. Data for uncovered areas can be downloaded to an end user&#39;s computing platform while the end user is still within an area in which navigation-related data from the navigation services provider are available wirelessly.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/487,076, filedJul. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,302, which was a divisional ofSer. No. 09/836,501, filed Apr. 17, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,945,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to geographic data and systems that usegeographic data, and more particularly, the present invention relates toa feature provided by a system, such as a navigation system, whereby auser of the system is provided with information that indicates areas inwhich navigation-related data are available wirelessly.

There are various computer architectures for navigation systems thatprovide navigation-related features (including map-related features). Inone type of architecture for a navigation system, end users (such asvehicle drivers, passengers, and others) use a wireless communicationssystem to obtain navigation-related services or data from a remotelylocated navigation services provider. The end users use various computerplatforms (e.g., different kinds of electronic devices and/or systems)to connect to the wireless communications system to access the remotelylocated navigation service provider. Associated with the remotelylocated navigation services provider is a geographic database. When anend user uses his/her computer platform to request a navigation-relatedservice or data, the remotely located navigation service provideraccesses the geographic database associated therewith and then providesthe requested service or data to the requesting end user's computerplatform via the wireless communications system.

This type of navigation system architecture provides several advantages.One advantage relates to providing updated data. There is a continuingneed to update the data used by a navigation system. For example, newstreets are built, road construction closes roads, detours areestablished, new businesses open, posted speed limits change, new turnrestrictions are established at intersections, streets are renamed, andso on. These kinds of changes can affect travel through a geographicregion. Accordingly, the data used by a navigation system should beupdated on a regular basis to accurately reflect changes in therepresented geographic features. A computer architecture in which enduser computing platforms obtain data from a single central geographicdatabase associated with a navigation services provider affords anadvantage with respect to the updating of the geographic data. With acomputer architecture in which end user computing platforms obtain datawirelessly from a single central geographic database associated with anavigation services provider, updates need to be applied only to thecentral database.

Although there are advantages associated with a navigation systemarchitecture in which individual end user computer platforms request andobtain navigation-related services and data wirelessly from a singlecentral geographic database associated with a navigation servicesprovider, there are considerations that need to be addressed. Oneconsideration relates to the coverage area(s) in which end users canobtain navigation-related services and data wirelessly. According to onetype of navigation system architecture, a navigation services providerprovides navigation-related services and data with respect to a coveragearea. A wireless communications system, associated with the navigationservices provider, is available throughout the coverage area. End userslocated throughout the coverage area use the wireless communicationssystem to access the navigation services provider to obtainnavigation-related services and data. The coverage area served by thewireless communications system and navigation services provider maycorrespond to a metropolitan region. Alternatively, the coverage areaassociated with a navigation services provider may correspond to a stateor region of the country. Thus, within an entire country, such as theUnited States, there may be a number of different coverage areas thatare served by one or more navigation services providers. According tothis type of navigation system architecture, navigation-related servicesand data are not available wirelessly outside the coverage areas. Theunavailability of navigation-related services or data outside ofcoverage areas may be inconvenient to some end users. Accordingly, itwould be preferable to reduce or minimize any inconvenience to end usersof this navigation system architecture occasioned by the lack ofnavigation-related services or data outside the coverage areas served bywireless communications systems associated with navigation servicesproviders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address these and other objectives, the present invention compriseswireless coverage data associated with a geographic database thatcontains data that represent a road network in a geographic region. Thewireless coverage data indicate one or more areas within the geographicregion in which navigation-related services or data from a navigationservices provider are available wirelessly, or conversely, areas withinthe geographic region in which navigation-related services or data froma navigation services provider are not available wirelessly. An end userobtains the wireless coverage data. The wireless coverage data are usedto indicate to the end user areas in which navigation-related servicesor data from a navigation services provider are available wirelessly orareas in which navigation-related services or data from a navigationservices provider are not available wirelessly. The wireless coveragedata may also be used to warn the end user when he/she is leaving anarea in which navigation-related services or data from a navigationservices provider are available wirelessly. Data for uncovered areas canbe downloaded to an end user's computing platform while the end user isstill within an area in which navigation-related data and services froma navigation services provider are available wirelessly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a map showing a geographic region.

FIG. 2 a map showing a portion of the geographic region shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows some of the components of a roadsegment data record contained in the geographic database of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that shows some of the components of a nodedata record contained in the geographic database of FIG. 2 according toan alternative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows some of the components of a postalzone data record contained in the geographic database of FIG. 2according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram that shows some of the components of anadministrative area data record contained in the geographic database ofFIG. 2 according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram that shows some of the components of awireless coverage area data record contained in the geographic databaseof FIG. 2 according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing components of one of the end user'scomputing platforms shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the end user's computing platform of FIG. 8showing a map image on the display screen relating to a wirelesscoverage.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the end user's computing platform of FIG.8 including a visual warning message about the availability of wirelesscoverage.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the end user's computing platform of FIG.8 including an audible warning message about the availability ofwireless coverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Wireless Coverage Data in Geographic Database

A. Navigation System with Wireless Coverage Areas

FIG. 1 is a map showing a geographic region 100. In FIG. 1, thegeographic region 100 includes a portion of the Midwest United States.The portion shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary and the present embodiment canbe applied in any geographic region in the United States or in any othercountry.

In the map of the geographic region 100 in FIG. 1, several wirelesscoverage areas 110 are shown. These wireless coverage areas 110 arelabeled, 110(1), 110(2), 110(3) . . . etc. In the geographic region 100shown in FIG. 1, some of these coverage areas 110 correspond tometropolitan areas, or combinations of metropolitan areas. For example,the wireless coverage area 110(1) corresponds to the Chicago andMilwaukee metropolitan areas and the wireless coverage area 110(2)corresponds to the Indianapolis metropolitan area. In addition, some ofthe coverage areas 110 in FIG. 1 correspond to connecting travelcorridors. For example, the wireless coverage area 110(3) corresponds toa connecting travel corridor located between Chicago and Indianapolis.(The wireless coverage area 110(3) is located along I-65.) The coverageareas 110 indicated in FIG. 1 indicate areas in which navigation dataarea available wirelessly from a navigation services provider.

FIG. 2 is a map showing a portion 130 of the geographic region 100 shownin FIG. 1. The portion 130 of the geographic region 100 shown in FIG. 2includes the wireless coverage area 110(1) that corresponds to theChicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. The portion 130 of thegeographic region 100 shown in FIG. 2 also includes some areas 140 thatare located outside the wireless coverage areas 110.

The wireless coverage area 110(1) is served by a navigation servicesprovider 200(1). The navigation services provider 200(1) is part of anavigation services system 210. The navigation services system 210serves end users (e.g., vehicle drivers and passengers, as well as otherpersons) in the wireless coverage area 110(1). The navigation servicessystem 210 is used by the end users to obtain navigation-relatedservices (including map-related services) and/or data wirelessly fromthe navigation services provider 200(1) while the end users are locatedin the wireless coverage area 110(1). The navigation-related services ordata that the end users obtain from the navigation services provider 200relate to the wireless coverage area 110(1) as well as areas outside thewireless coverage area 110(1). The navigation-related services includeinformation about travel along roads 224 located in the wirelesscoverage area 110(1) as well as roads located in areas outside thewireless coverage area 110(1). The navigation-related services includeroute calculation and guidance, people and business finding services(e.g., electronic yellow and white pages), maps, point of interestsearching, destination selection, and so on.

End users located in the coverage area 110(1) use various differentcomputer platforms 230 to access the navigation services provider 200 torequest and obtain navigation-related and map-related features andgeographic data. These various computer platforms 230 (also referred toas “end user computing devices” or “client computing platforms”) mayinclude navigation system units 232 located in vehicles 234, personalcomputers 236, personal organizers (e.g., PDAs, PalmPilot®-type devices)238, portable phones 240, or any other types of computing device.

The various end user computing platforms 230 access the navigationservices provider 200 over a data communications network 250. The datacommunications network 250 may be part of, or connected to, theInternet. The data network 250 may use any suitable technology and/orprotocols that are currently available, as well as technology and/orprotocols that become available in the future. For example, the datanetwork may use WAP, TCP/IP, etc. More than one protocol may be used inthe data network 250 with appropriate conversions.

At least a portion of the data communications network 250 includes awireless portion 254. The wireless portion 254 of the datacommunications network 250 enables two-way communication between the enduser computing platforms 230 and the navigation services provider200(1). The wireless portion 254 may be implemented by any suitable formof wireless communication, including cellular, PCS, satellite, FM,radio, or technologies that may be developed in the future. The wirelessportion 254 may include one or more transmitters, such as a transpondertower, an antenna tower, an FM tower, satellites, or other suitablemeans. The transmitters include an appropriate communication link to thenavigation services provider 200(1). This link may be land-based or maybe wireless.

At least some of the end user computing devices 230 are mobile devices.These mobile end user computing devices 230 use the wireless portion 254of the data communications network 250 to access the navigation servicesprovider 200(1). These mobile end user computing devices 230 includesthe appropriate hardware and software to access the navigation servicesprovider 200 over the wireless communications network 254 of the datanetwork 250. Some end user computing devices may not be mobile devices.For example, these non-mobile end user computing devices may includedesktop personal computers 236. These non-mobile end user computingdevices 230 may access the navigation services provider 200(1) over thedata communications network 250 without using the wireless portion 254.

As mentioned above, the end users obtain navigation-related services ordata wirelessly from the navigation services provider 200(1) while theend users are located in the wireless coverage area 110(1). So long asthe end users remain in the coverage area 110(1), they are within therange of service coverage of the wireless communications system 254 andcan obtain navigation-related services or data from the navigationservices provider 200(1). However, if an end user travels outside thewireless coverage area 110(1), he/she becomes out of range of theservice coverage of the wireless communications system 254 and as aresult, is unable to obtain navigation-related services or datawirelessly from the navigation services provider 200(1).

In order to assist end users, a present embodiment includes a featurewhereby end users are provided with information about the geographicrange of availability of wireless navigation-related or data services.In one embodiment, end users are provided with wireless coverage datathat indicate the geographic range of availability of wirelessnavigation-related or data. These wireless coverage data can be used byan application in the end user's computing device 230 to indicate to theend user where (geographically), navigation-related or data areavailable wirelessly. In addition, these wireless coverage data can alsobe used to indicate to the end user where (geographically),navigation-related or data are not available wirelessly. (Thisinformation about wireless coverage availability can be used on the enduser's computing device in several different ways, as explained in moredetail below.)

B. Wireless Coverage Data

According to one embodiment, the wireless coverage data are associatedwith (or included in) a geographic database 300. The geographic database300 is used by the navigation services system 210. The geographicdatabase 300 includes data representing the roads and intersections inthe wireless coverage area 110(1). The data contained in the geographicdatabase 300 includes information relating to the represented roads andintersections, such as turn restrictions at intersections, speed limitsalong the roads, street names of the various roads, address ranges alongthe roads, and so on. The geographic database 300 also containsinformation about points of interest and businesses located in thewireless coverage area 110(1). The geographic database 300 also containsother information about the wireless coverage area 110(1), such asinformation about government divisions (e.g., cities, states),government services (e.g., police stations, post offices, communitycenters), postal zones, area codes, etc. In this embodiment, thegeographic database 300 also includes data about areas outside thewireless coverage area 110(1). However, in an alternative embodiment,the geographic database 300 does not necessarily include data aboutareas outside the wireless coverage area 110(1).

According to some embodiments, the wireless coverage data are includedas data attributes of other geographic features that are represented bythe geographic database 300.

-   -   (1) Wireless Coverage as an Attribute of Road Segment Data

In one embodiment, wireless coverage data are included as attributes ofroad segment data. The geographic database 300 in FIG. 2 includes datathat represents roads. In the embodiment of the geographic database 300,there is at least one database entry (also referred to as “entity” or“record”) for each road segment represented in a geographic region. Aroad segment refers to a portion of a road between two immediatelyadjacent intersections or between a dead end and the intersectionimmediately adjacent to the dead end. A road segment can also refer to aportion of a road along which all the attributes of the road are thesame.

FIG. 3 shows some of the components of a data record 310 that representsa road segment. The road segment data record 310 is included in thegeographic database 300. Each road segment data record 310 may haveassociated with it information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.)that describe features of the represented road segment. The road segmentrecord 310 includes a segment ID 310(1) by which the data record can beidentified in the geographic database 300. The road segment data record310 may also include data 310(2) that indicates the restrictions, ifany, on the direction of vehicular travel permitted on the representedroad segment. The road segment data record 310 includes data 310(3) thatindicates a speed limit or speed category (i.e., the maximum permittedvehicular speed of travel on the represented road segment). The roadsegment data record 310 may also include data 310(4) indicating whetherthe represented road segment is part of a controlled access road (suchas an expressway), a ramp to a controlled access road, a bridge, atunnel, a toll road, a ferry, and so on.

The road segment data record 310 also includes data 310(5) providing thegeographic coordinates (e.g., the latitude and longitude) of theendpoints of the represented road segment. In one embodiment, this data310(5) are references to the node data records 312(1) and 312(2) thatrepresent the endpoints of the represented road segment.

The road segment data record 310 also includes data 310(6) indicatingthe postal zone in which the road segment is located, data 310(7)indicating the state in which the road segment is located, and data310(8) indicating the city in which the road segment is located.

The road segment record 310 may also include or be associated with otherdata 310(9) that refer to various other attributes of the representedroad segment. For example, the road segment data record may include dataidentifying what turn restrictions exist at each of the nodes whichcorrespond to intersections at the ends of the represented road segment,the name or names by which the represented road segment is known, thestreet address ranges along the represented road segment, and so on. Thevarious attributes associated with a road segment may be included in asingle road segment record, or preferably are included in more than onetype of road segment record which are cross-referenced to each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the road segment record 310 includesa data attribute 310(10) relating to wireless coverage. The wirelesscoverage data attribute 310(10) indicates whether navigation-relatedservices or data are available wirelessly from a remotely locatednavigation services provider when an end user is located on the roadsegment represented by the road segment record. The wireless coveragedata attribute 310(10) may also identify the navigation servicesprovider and the levels of service that are available (if differentlevels exist), as well as other data.

-   -   (2) Wireless Coverage as an Attribute of Node Data

In alternative embodiments, data that indicate the range of wirelesscoverage can be associated with data that represent types of geographicfeatures other than road segments. As an example, according to a secondembodiment, data that indicate the range of wireless coverage can beassociated with data records that represent nodes. Nodes refer to thepoints at each end of a road segment. According to this embodiment, thegeographic database 300 includes data records that represent nodes,i.e., node data records. Some of the components of a node data record312 are shown in FIG. 4. Each node data record 312 may have associatedinformation (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that describefeatures of the represented node. The node record 312 includes a node ID312(1) by which the data record can be identified in the geographicdatabase 300. The node record 312 also include data 312(2) that indicatethe geographic position (e.g., its latitude and longitude coordinates)of the represented node. The node record 312 may also include data312(3) that indicate the road segment(s) that connect to it. The noderecord 312 may also include or be associated with other data 312(4) thatrefer to various other attributes of the represented node.

In this embodiment, the node record 312 includes a data attribute 312(5)relating to wireless coverage. The wireless coverage data attribute312(5) indicates whether navigation-related services or data areavailable wirelessly from a remotely located navigation servicesprovider when an end user is located at the node represented by the noderecord. The wireless coverage data attribute 312(5) may also identifythe navigation services provider and the levels of service that areavailable, as well as other data.

-   -   (3) Wireless Coverage as an Attribute of Postal Data

In another alternative embodiment, data that indicate the range ofwireless coverage can be associated with data that represent postalzones. According to this embodiment, the geographic database 300includes postal zone records. Some of the components of a postal zonerecord 316 are shown in FIG. 5. The postal zone record 316 includes anID 316(1) by which the postal zone record can be identified in thegeographic database 300. The postal zone record 316 may also includedata 316(2) that indicate the communities located within the representedpostal zone. The postal zone record 316 may also include data 316(3)that indicate the locations(s) of post offices within the representedpostal zone. The postal zone record 316 may also include or beassociated with other data 316(4) that refer to various other attributesof the represented postal zone.

In this embodiment, the postal zone record 316 includes a data attribute316(5) relating to wireless coverage. The wireless coverage dataattribute 316(5) indicates whether navigation-related services or dataare available wirelessly from a remotely located navigation servicesprovider when an end user is located in the postal zone represented bythe postal zone record. The wireless coverage data attribute 316(5) mayalso include other types of information, as explained above.

-   -   (4) Wireless Coverage as an Attribute of Administrative Data

In a fourth embodiment, data that indicate the range of wirelesscoverage are associated with data records that represent administrativezones. Administrative zones include countries, states, cities (towns,villages, etc.), counties, townships, provinces, etc. According to thisembodiment, the geographic database 300 includes administrative zonerecords. Some of the components of an administrative zone record 320 areshown in FIG. 6. The administrative zone record 320 includes an ID320(1) by which the administrative zone record can be identified in thegeographic database 300. The administrative zone record 320 alsoincludes data 320(2) that indicate related administrative zones. Theadministrative zone record 320 may also include data 320(3) thatindicate the locations(s) of administrative buildings (e.g., city halls,state capitols, court houses) within the represented administrativezone. The administrative zone data record 320 also includes data 320(4)that indicate the boundaries of the administrative zone. Theadministrative zone record 320 may also include or be associated withother data 320(5) that refer to various other attributes of therepresented administrative zone.

In this embodiment, the administrative zone data record 320 alsoincludes a data attribute 320(6) relating to wireless coverage. Thewireless coverage data attribute 320(6) indicates whethernavigation-related services or data are available wirelessly from aremotely located navigation services provider when an end user islocated in the administrative zone represented by the administrativezone record. The wireless coverage data attribute 320(6) may alsoinclude other types of information, as explained above.

-   -   (5) Wireless Coverage Defined with an Arbitrary Boundary

In another alternative embodiment, data that indicate the range ofwireless coverage can be defined with respect to an arbitrary boundary.According to this embodiment, the geographic database 300 includeswireless coverage area records. Some of the components of a wirelesscoverage area record 322 are shown in FIG. 7. The wireless coverage arearecord 322 includes an ID 322(1) by which the wireless coverage arearecord can be identified in the geographic database 300. The wirelesscoverage area record 322 also includes data 322(2) that indicate theboundaries of the represented wireless coverage area. The boundaries ofthe wireless coverage area can be defined in any way. The wirelesscoverage data attribute 322(3) may also identify the navigation servicesprovider and the levels of service that are available, as well as otherdata, as explained above. The wireless coverage area record 322 may alsoinclude or be associated with other data 322(4) that refer to variousother attributes of the wireless coverage area.

II. Use of Wireless Coverage Data

As mentioned above, the wireless coverage data that indicate thegeographic range of availability of wireless navigation-related servicesor data are provided to end users. The wireless coverage data is used byend users to indicate where (geographically) navigation-related servicesor data are available wirelessly.

A. The End Users' Computing Platforms

As mentioned above, each end user uses a computing platform (230 in FIG.2) to obtain data or navigation-related or map-related services from thenavigation services provider 200(1). FIG. 8 is a block diagram thatshows components included in one of the end user's computing platforms230. As mentioned above, end users may use different kinds of computingplatforms to access the navigation services provider 220(1). Differentend user computing platforms may have different hardware and softwareand the navigation-related functions that are performed on the endusers' computing platforms may vary from one end user platform toanother. Accordingly, FIG. 8 shows an example of one configuration of anend user computing platform. It is understood that not all end usercomputing platforms may necessarily provide all the functions describedin connection with the embodiment in FIG. 8 and that some end usercomputing platforms may provide additional or other functions.

Although the different end user computing platforms may have differenthardware and software resources, all the end user computing platformsreceive data from the navigation services provider (200(1) in FIG. 2).The end user's computing platform 230 includes a communications system400. The communications system 400 in the end user's computing platform230 includes the hardware and software components needed to receivemessages from and send messages to the navigation services provider(200(1) in FIG. 2) over the data network 250. The communications system400 interfaces with other components in the end user's computingplatform 230.

The end user's computing platform 230 also includes a user interface410. The user interface 410 allows the end user to provide input to andreceive information from the end user's computing platform 230. The userinterface 410 includes hardware and software components. For example,the user interface 410 may include a display, a microphone, speakers, akeypad, or other kinds of means for inputting information into thecomputing platform and outputting information therefrom. The userinterface 410 includes supporting software that may provide menus,prompts, audio, etc. The user interface 410 interfaces with othercomponents in the end user's computing platform 230.

Included on the end user's computing platform 230 are navigation-relatedapplications 420. The navigation-related applications 420 use the dataobtained from the navigation services provider 200(1). One of thenavigation-related applications 420 is a positioning application 420(1).The positioning application 420(1) uses geographic data obtained fromthe navigation services provider 200(1) to determine the position of theend user's computing platform 230 relative to data representing the roadnetwork. The positioning application 420(1) may also obtain data from apositioning system 430 which is part of the end user's computingplatform 230. The positioning system 430 may use GPS, dead-reckoning, ora combination of these or other technologies to determine the locationof the end user's computing platform 230. Methods for performingpositioning are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,312, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The positioningsystem 430 may also use technologies that determine cell phone positions(or other wireless phone positions) in a geographic area. Thesetechnologies may employ triangulation, time-of-arrival, or othertechniques implemented with equipment located away from a cell phone todetermine the location of the cell phone in a geographic area. Thepositioning application 420(1) and the positioning system 430 areoptional, i.e., not all end users' computing platforms may provide foror support positioning.

Another of the navigation applications 420 on the end user's computingplatform is route guidance 420(2). The route guidance application 420(2)uses data from the navigation services provider 200(1) to provideinstructions for the end user to travel to a desired destination.Methods for performing route guidance using geographic data aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,013, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Another of the navigation applications 420 on the end user's computingplatform is map display 420(3). The map display 420(3) uses data fromthe navigation services provider 200(1) to provide maps graphically onthe display screen of the user interface 410 of the end user's computingplatform. The maps may show the area around the location of the enduser's computing platform, the area along a route that the end user isfollowing, the area around a location specified by the end user, or anyother specified area. Methods for performing map display usinggeographic data are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,092,076 and 6,163,749,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

B. Using Wireless Coverage Data on an End User's Computing Platform

As mentioned above, the wireless coverage data can be used to indicateto end users where (geographically), navigation-related services or dataare available wirelessly (and likewise where navigation-related servicesor data are not available wirelessly). In one embodiment, end users'computing platforms 230 request wireless coverage data from thenavigation services provider 200(1). An end user's computing platform230 makes this request while it is located within one of the areas inwhich navigation-related or map-related data are available wirelessly.

-   -   (1) Displaying Wireless Coverage Areas

In one embodiment, when the end user's computing platform receives thewireless coverage data, it uses the wireless coverage data to show acoverage map on the display screen of the end user's computing. Thecoverage map may be generated by a coverage map generation application420(6)(1). The coverage map generation application 420(6)(1) may beincluded on the end user's computing platform. The coverage mapgeneration application 420(6)(1) may be part of the map display programinstalled on the end user's computing platform. Alternatively, thecoverage map generation application 420(6)(1) may be a separate program.According to still another alternative, the coverage map generationapplication 420(6)(1) may be downloaded as an applet or a plug-in fromthe navigation services provider 200(1) along with the wireless coveragedata.

The coverage map rendered on the display screen of the end user'scomputing platform indicates the areas in which navigation-related ormap-related data are available wirelessly and also indicates areas inwhich navigation-related or map-related data are not availablewirelessly. In a preferred embodiment, the coverage map also shows thecurrent position of the end user's computing platform. FIG. 9 shows anexample of this feature. FIG. 9 shows the display screen of the userinterface 410 of the end user's computing platform 230. On the displayscreen is a map showing areas in which navigation-related services ordata are available wirelessly and areas in which navigation-relatedservices or data are not available wirelessly. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 9, the areas in which navigation-related services or data arenot available wirelessly are shown as hatched. (Instead, of showingthese areas as hatched, the areas in which navigation-related servicesor data are not available wirelessly may be shown in a different color,by shading, by boundaries, etc.) In addition, according to thisembodiment, the current location of the end user is indicated on thecoverage map. The current location of the end user can be determinedusing the positioning application (420(1) in FIG. 8) or by any othermeans.

According to one alternative feature, a message is overlaid on thedisplay screen. The message indicates to the end user the areas in whichnavigation-related services or data are available wirelessly.Alternatively, a message may be shown in the display screen thatindicates to the end user the areas in which navigation-related servicesor data are not available wirelessly. Both these features are shown inFIG. 9 by means of the boxes containing the words “DATA” and “NO DATA.”

-   -   (2) Warning about Leaving or Entering a Wireless Coverage Area

According to another alternative embodiment, the wireless coverage datacan be used on the end user's computing platform to provide the end userwith a warning that the end user is about to leave an area in whichnavigation-related services or data are available wirelessly. Thiswarning can be generated by a wireless coverage warning application420(6)(2) in the end user's computing platform. The warning may beprovided visually on the display screen of the user interface of the enduser's computing platform. Alternatively, the warning can be providedaudibly using a speaker of the user interface of the end user'scomputing platform. Both visual and audio warnings may be provided. Thewarning may be provided in combination with the display of a coveragemap, as explained above. FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of these warningfeatures.

According to an another alternative embodiment, a message can beprovided when the end user enters a wireless coverage area. The messagemay be similar to the warnings provided when leaving a wireless coveragearea.

-   -   (3) Obtaining Data for Uncovered Areas

An advantage of this embodiment is that the end user can make additionalrequests for data about areas outside a wireless coverage area whilestill within the wireless coverage area. For example, the user mayrequest navigation-related services or data for areas outside thewireless coverage area. These data for areas outside the wirelesscoverage area are then saved on the end user's computing platform sothat they can be used when the end user travels outside the wirelesscoverage area. These data can be used to generate map displays, providerouting guidance, and so on. The end user can also request data for aroute that extends through an uncovered area.

According to another alternative, a wireless data downloadingapplication (420(6)(3) in FIG. 8) on the end user's computing platformautomatically requests and obtains data for uncovered areas whenever theend user approaches an uncovered area. The wireless data downloadingapplication 420(6)(3) on the end user's computing platform may downloadall the data for an uncovered area being approached. Alternatively, ifthe user is traveling along a route to a destination that is located in,or passes through, an uncovered area, the wireless data downloadingapplication 420(6)(3) on the end user's computing platform automaticallydownloads sufficient data for the uncovered areas through which the enduser is expected to travel.

III. Other Alternatives

In the embodiments described above, it was stated that the end user'scomputing platform obtained the wireless coverage data from thenavigation services provider. In an alternative embodiment, the wirelesscoverage data may be stored on media located with the end user. Forexample, in one alternative, the wireless coverage data may be stored ona CD-ROM or DVD installed with the end user's computing platform.

In the embodiments described above, it was stated that end user'scomputing platforms communicated with the navigation services providerto obtain navigation-related services or data. According to alternativeembodiments, an end user's computing platform may providenavigation-related services using a geographic database installedlocally with the end user's computing platform. According to thisalternative a geographic database installed locally with the end user'scomputing platform is used for certain types of navigation-relatedfunctions, such as route guidance, map display, or route guidance. Theend user's computing platform communicates with the navigation servicesprovider for certain functions, such as real-time traffic, updates, andweather. With this type of system, the end user can be provided withwarnings about leaving or entering wireless coverage areas. When the enduser leaves a wireless coverage area, the features provided by thenavigation services provider, such as real-time traffic and updates, arenot available. However, the features that can be provided using only thelocally installed geographic database are still available.

According to another alternative, when the end user leaves a wirelesscoverage area, features that rely on the availability of datawirelessly, such as real-time traffic and updates, are still providedusing data that have been downloaded prior to leaving the wirelesscoverage area. In this alternative, the data that have been downloadedwhile in a wireless coverage area can be used for a period of time untilthey become obsolete. For example, in the case of traffic data, an enduser who has left a wireless coverage area may be able to use trafficdata that have been downloaded from a navigation services provider priorto leaving the wireless coverage area until the traffic data becomesobsolete, e.g., an hour.

According to another alternative, when an end user is following a routethat leaves a wireless coverage area, traffic related data and updatesfor the roads in and along the route are downloaded to the end user'scomputing platform prior to leaving the wireless coverage area.

In some of the embodiments described above, it was stated that wirelesscoverage data are associated with a geographic database to indicateareas in which navigation-related services or data are availablewirelessly. In an alternative, the wireless coverage data can indicateareas in which navigation-related services or data are not availablewirelessly.

In the embodiments described above, end user computing platforms weredescribed as having certain navigation applications, such aspositioning, route guidance, and map display. In alternativeembodiments, some or all of these navigation applications may reside onthe navigation services server. According to these alternativeembodiments, end users may be able to operate these server-basednavigation applications using their local computing platforms, or may beable to obtain the results from these server-based applications usingtheir local computing platforms.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the wireless coveragedata can be used to restrict selection of destinations. According to onealternative, when an end user is searching for a destination of a giventype (e.g., points of interest, such as hotels, restaurants, etc.), thelist of available destinations may be restricted to only those that arelocated within wireless coverage areas. According to this alternative,destinations of a given type that are located outside wireless coverageareas are not shown to end users as being available. According to analternative, destinations that are located outside wireless coverageareas may be made available to some users (such as those having systemscapable of downloading sufficient data for travel in the uncoveredareas), but not to other users. Alternatively, destinations that arelocated outside wireless coverage areas may be made available to users,but with a warning that the destinations are located outside wirelesscoverage areas. According to yet another alternative, an end user may beable to choose whether destinations that are located outside wirelesscoverage areas are returned when searching. According to anotheralternative, an end user may be able to select a preference fordestinations that are located in wireless coverage areas when searching.

According to another further alternative, the wireless coverage data canbe used to restrict calculation of routes. When calculating a route to adestination, a route calculation application (located on either thenavigation services server or on the end user's computing platform) mayrestrict the road segments available for inclusion in the route to thoselocated in wireless coverage areas. According to an alternative, an enduser may be able to choose whether any portion of a route crossesoutside wireless coverage areas. According to another alternative, anend user may be able to select a preference for routes that are locatedin wireless coverage areas so that routes remain inside wirelesscoverage areas whenever possible.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded asillustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that thefollowing claims including all equivalents are intended to define thescope of the invention.

1. A method of operation for a navigation services provider locatedremotely from end users' devices from which end users obtainnavigation-related services, the method comprising: from the navigationservices provider, establishing a wireless communications link with aremotely located end user's device; and transmitting wireless navigationservices coverage data from said navigation services provider to saidremotely located end user's device, wherein said wireless navigationservices coverage data indicate areas in which navigation-related datafrom the navigation services provider are unavailable wirelessly.
 2. Amethod of operation for a navigation services provider located remotelyfrom end users' devices from which end users obtain navigation-relatedservices, the method comprising: from the navigation services provider,establishing a wireless communications link with a remotely located enduser's device; and transmitting wireless navigation services coveragedata from said navigation services provider to said remotely located enduser's device, wherein said wireless navigation services coverage dataindicate areas in which navigation-related data from the navigationservices provider are available wirelessly.
 3. The method of claim 1 or2 wherein the navigation-related data include real-time traffic data. 4.The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the navigation-related data includeupdates.
 5. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the navigation-relateddata include weather data.
 6. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein thenavigation services provider includes navigation applications.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the navigation applications include routeguidance.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the navigation applicationsinclude positioning.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the navigationapplications include map display.
 10. The invention of claim 1 or 2wherein said wireless coverage data comprises attributes associated withdata records that represent geographic features located in saidgeographic region.
 11. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step oftransmitting is performed when the remotely located end user's device isfollowing a route that leaves a wireless coverage area.
 12. A method ofoperation for a navigation services provider located remotely from endusers' devices from which end users obtain navigation-related services,the method comprising: receiving a request from a remotely located enduser's device for a route to a destination; calculating a route to thedestination that avoids travel in areas in which wireless navigationservices coverage is unavailable; and providing the route to the enduser's device.
 13. A method of operation for a navigation servicesprovider located remotely from end users' devices from which end usersobtain navigation-related services, the method comprising: receiving arequest from a remotely located end user's device for a given type ofdestination; and restricting a user's selection of a destination to onelocated in an area in which wireless navigation services coverage isavailable.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: indicating tothe user a destination of the given type located in an area in whichwireless navigation services coverage is unavailable, accompanied with awarning.
 15. A method of operation for a navigation services providerlocated remotely from end users' devices from which end users obtainnavigation-related services, the method comprising: from the navigationservices provider, maintaining a wireless communications link with aremotely located end user's device while said remotely located enduser's device is located in an area in which wireless navigationservices coverage is available; and prior to said remotely located enduser's device leaving the area in which wireless navigation servicescoverage is available, transmitting to the end user's devicenavigation-related data for an area in which navigation servicescoverage is unavailable.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein thenavigation-related data include one of traffic-related data or updatesfor the area in which navigation services coverage is unavailable.